HONG KONG, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HKBU School of Business announced today the launch of the MSc in Corporate Governance and Compliance (Programme) in response to the pressing industry demand for qualified talent in the field of corporate governance, corporate secretaryship, risk management, and compliance. The first intake of 40 will be admitted in September 2017.

This new Programme, fully accredited by The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) and The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in the United Kingdom (ICSA), prepares directors (including independent non-executive directors), company secretaries, and professionals in related fields to strengthen sustainability and accountability of their organisations. Graduates will be well-quipped to assume leadership roles, from management to the boardroom, from businesses to non-profits.

Strategically integrating business and legal disciplines, students will obtain a degree at master's level in one and a half years on a part-time basis, and be eligible to apply for full exemption from the qualifying examinations of HKICS and ICSA. Graduates who go on to become members of HKICS are qualified for appointment as company secretaries of listed companies under the Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Membership of HKICS is one of the three professional qualifications recognised by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong as necessary for fulfilling this position.

"Businesses face ongoing challenges in terms of corporate governance and sustainability," said Professor Ed Snape, Dean of HKBU School of Business. "We are responding to calls from the business sector for qualified professionals in this area. At the same time, the new Programme is benchmarked against the best international standards and provides international recognitions. Our graduates will help businesses and other organisations achieve the highest ethical and regulatory standards -- and this is at the heart of our School's mission."

HKICS President, Ivan Tam, said, "We are delighted to have this collaborative Programme with HKBU School of Business for nurturing future governance professionals. We look forward to having the graduates of this Programme becoming qualified Chartered Secretaries who will help promote and implement good governance policies and practices in their organisations for long term sustainability and accountability purposes."

The Director of the Programme Dr. Davy Wu pointed out that the Programme is designed for those who are interested in corporate governance of commercial enterprises or non-profit organisations. "Increasingly companies and organisations need people who have an exceptional understanding of both business and legal issues to be able to address complex corporate governance challenges such as securities regulation, risk management, and regulatory compliance."

For further details about the Programme, please visit bus.hkbu.edu.hk/msccgd. 

About HKBU School of Business

Since 1956, HKBU School of Business has provided innovative business education to students from across the globe. We seek to inspire good business practice, create value for stakeholders, and enhance social and economic growth and development through our research on corporate sustainability issues, encompassing the areas of business ethics, corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. To learn more about the School, please visit bus.hkbu.edu.hk.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries
(Incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability by guarantee)

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) is an independent professional body dedicated to the promotion of its members' role in the formulation and effective implementation of good governance policies as well as the development of the profession of Chartered Secretary in Hong Kong and throughout Mainland China. HKICS was first established in 1949 as an association of Hong Kong members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) of London. It became a branch of ICSA in 1990 before gaining local status in 1994.

HKICS is a founder member of Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) which was established in March 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland to give a global voice to corporate secretaries and governance professionals.

HKICS today has over 5,800 members and 3,200 students.